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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Valley addiction recovery center is incorporating a class of medications commonly used for weight loss into treatment for substance use disorders.
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The Meadows Behavioral Healthcare Center is using GLP-1 peptides, medications originally developed to treat diabetes and later used for weight loss.
Dr. Aaron Wilson with The Meadows said emerging research suggests the drugs may also help reduce cravings for alcohol and other substances.
“A lot of the preclinical research has shown that maybe alcohol and some other substances are unintendedly kind of coming down when somebody’s on these medications,” Wilson said.
GLP-1 medications work on the brain’s reward center, known as the mesolimbic system. Wilson said that the pathway is tied to both food cravings and substance use.
“A lot of people talk about when they’re on GLPs, it cuts down on that food noise,” Wilson said. “I think what we’re also seeing is it cuts down on noise across the board for other substances, perhaps the alcohol, opiates, stimulants, maybe even nicotine.”
Studies on the connection between GLP-1 medications and reduced substance cravings are ongoing.
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Wilson said the medication is not a standalone remedy for addiction and should be used as part of a broader treatment plan.
He recommended people do their own research and speak with a health care provider before starting any medication.
The Meadows has a residential treatment center in Wickenburg and an outpatient program in Scottsdale. The center also offers outpatient and virtual care programs across the country, focusing on trauma, addiction, process addictions and general mental health concerns.
More information about the Meadows is available online at themeadows.com.
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